This story should appeal to school district superintendents trying to keep kids interested (or, just in school). Reports the Associated Press this a.m., Jose Perez, a student at North Side High School in Fort Worth, really digs class now -- thanks to mariachi music class, which are now being offered in various North Texas districts (among them, Arlington and Grand Prairie). And for the first time, mariachis will be able to compete in the University Interscholastic League band throwdown. Says the chairman of the National Association for Music Education's Mariachi Advisory Committee: "You don't have to worry about your kids joining gangs, we provide the gang." Speaking of, one time, at klezmer camp ... --Robert Wilonsky